Olin’s Information Services team is often asked about new tech products and we’d like to share some of our opinions and reviews with the entire community here on the Olin Blog.
Lately, I’ve been asked about Windows 8 and the Surface from Microsoft. Windows 8 is the newest version of Microsoft’s operating system. Released in October, Windows 8 looks quite a bit different than previous versions of Windows.
The new Start screen replaces the traditional desktop and Start menu with a set of tiles that you use to launch programs. These tiles come to life when you use new Windows Store apps, providing you with information at a glance without ever launching the app. If you have ever used a Windows Phone, the Live Tiles will be familiar. You can still run your existing programs on Windows 8. These programs open on the Desktop, which looks like Windows 7.
While the new interface is usable with a keyboard and mouse, it is best experienced on a touch-enabled device. We’re starting to see systems with touch-enabled screens, mostly all-in-one systems that look like the Apple iMac. The biggest uptake in touch, however, will probably be on tablets and laptops for now.
Windows 8 comes in multiple versions. The three that most of us will work with are: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows RT. Windows 8 is aimed at consumers and will ship on most computers sold by retailers. Windows 8 Pro is aimed at tech enthusiasts and businesses. Windows RT is something completely different.
Windows RT is only available on PCs and tablets that use ARM processors. ARM processors use less power than those from Intel and are used in many lightweight tablets to give them long battery life. The tradeoff for that battery life is you can’t run your existing programs on RT; you can only run the new Windows Store apps. This means that a tablet with Windows RT probably isn’t going to be your only computer. It can, however, be a great companion device.
Microsoft includes Office Home & Student 2013 with Windows RT which gives you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. These are the same programs that you can run on your PC, not a stripped-down, limited feature version.
In addition to devices from the traditional companies such as Dell, Lenovo, Acer, etc., you now have the option of buying a computer from Microsoft called the Surface. Surface is a lightweight tablet that sits somewhere between tablets like the iPad and lightweight Ultrabooks. The Surface comes with an innovative cover that also doubles as a keyboard. The Type Cover has a traditional, albeit thin, keyboard. The Touch Cover is unlike anything we’ve seen before, a pressure-sensitive keyboard with touchpad that is only 3.25mm thin.
You can buy a Surface with Windows RT (aka Surface RT) today. Later this month, we expect Microsoft to release Surface with Windows 8 Pro (aka Surface Pro). If you’re looking to buy one device that can be your primary system, wait for the Pro.
To help, here is a good review from CNET that compares the Surface tablets (http://reviews.cnet.com/microsoft-surface-pro/). It also has a handy guide to help you choose the device that works best for you.
